Amanda believes in preserving Manatee County's agricultural heritage, while inspiring a new generation of farmers. She spearheaded the purchase of the historic Mixon Fruit Farms, saving the site from development. There are plans for the farm to feature an event venue, farmer's market, teaching kitchen, historic citrus groves, and 20 acres of land set aside for urban 4-H and FFA students to house projects like swine, steer, and poultry. She also created a highly successful Community Gardens program. 

Amanda has led efforts to reduce homelessness in our cities and urban core. This is a huge public safety and quality of life concern for residents throughout District 2. Amanda led the project to provide a women's shelter, opened just last year. In the next two years, a second shelter, run by our Sheriff will open, and the Salvation Army will begin serving exclusively families. This increased shelter capacity will allow law enforcement to robustly enforce anti camping and loitering laws, cleaning up our streets and increasing public safety. These projects are being funded through opioid litigation funds-- NOT your tax dollars. 

As the sister of a career Air Force Sargeant, Amanda understands the difficulties faced by military families, and is committed to supporting and giving back to the nearly 10% of Manatee County residents who served our country in the US military. She supported the Tunnel to Towers project, which will provide 122 permanent homes to homeless, disabled, and disadvantaged veterans in our community. She is also supporting the Valor Commons initiative. This innovative center will provide our veterans with the services they need to get their lives on track, along with camaraderie and brotherhood, all on one campus. The Commons will also provide a beautiful memorial park to honor our veterans and fallen heroes. 

Amanda believes in creating opportunity and investment for young people and families in our urban core. She has overseen unprecedented reinvestment in District 2, including John Marble Park, the updated Bradenton Area Convention Center, Washington Park and Community Center, Community Gardens at Elwood Park, Mixon Farms, lighting projects  in Samoset, Oneco, and Washington Park, the completion of the 44th Ave. E. extension, as well as major stormwater work, sidewalk projects, and beautification projects throughout the District. She has strong partnerships with the Mayors of both Bradenton and Palmetto, allowing for significant cross-jurisdictional cooperation on issues of redevelopment, homelessness, and economic development.  

The changes to garbage pickup have left many residents feeling frustrated and overwhelmed. Amanda pledges to bring back bulk home pickup options for residents to ease the burden on families, and to continue to listen and respond to residents' concerns. 

As a mother and someone from a blue-collar background, Amanda is acutely aware of the affordability challenges families in Manatee County face. She is dedicated to continuing to lower the millage rate and give families property tax relief. She also recognizes the struggles of our senior populations and those on fixed incomes. She is prioritizing incentivizing affordable housing options for seniors in District 2, providing an affordable and dignified lifestyle for Manatee County residents. 

Through her work in the local child welfare system, Amanda understands the gaps in treatment for substance abuse in our community. She is leading an innovative partnership with Helping Up Mission, which has provided year long, comprehensive substance abuse treatment  free of charge to over 130 Manatee County residents in the last year, breaking the cycle of addiction. This initiative is funded through opioid settlement funds, to stem our County's substance abuse crisis- NOT your tax dollars. 

Amanda has worked closely with police and first responders for her entire career, from detectives investigating child abuse, to child protective investigators, and EMS, and has great respect for their service to our community. On the Board of County Commissioners, she is a key supporter of law enforcement, partnering with the Sheriff's office on initiatives like the Fresh Start Shelter and homelessness enforcement, creating a juvenile curfew (with exceptions for work, extracurriculars, and parental permission), and a proposed ban on highly dangerous and currently unregulated "designer drugs" in Manatee County.